Devotion

Theme: Trusting in the Lord in Battles
Text:  1 Samuel 30:1-8

30 Now it happened, when David and his men came to Ziklag, on the third day, that the  Amalekites had invaded the South and Ziklag, attacked Ziklag and burned it with fire, 2 and had taken captive the women and those who were there, from small to great; they did not kill anyone, but carried them away and went their way. 3 So David and his men came to the city, and there it was, burned with fire; and their wives, their sons, and their daughters had been taken captive. 4 Then David and the people who were with him lifted up their voices and wept, until they had no more power to weep. 5 And David’s two wives, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail the widow of Nabal the Carmelite, had been taken captive. 6 Now David was greatly distressed, for the people spoke of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and his daughters. But David strengthened himself in the Lord his God. 7 Then David said to Abiathar the priest, Ahimelech’s son, “Please bring the ephod here to me.” And Abiathar brought the ephod to David. 8 So David inquired of the Lord, saying, “Shall I pursue this troop? Shall I overtake them?” And He answered him, “Pursue, for you shall surely overtake them and without fail recover all.”

We are faced with battles each day. Some battles are unnecessary and we need not fight them. David and his men had return from the Philistine armies where they were denied the chance to assist them in battle: 1 Samuel 29:9-10 9 Then Achish answered and said to David, “I know that you are as good in my sight as an angel of God; nevertheless the princes of the Philistines have said, ‘He shall not go up with us to the battle.’ 10 Now therefore, rise early in the morning with your master’s servants who have come with you. And as soon as you are up early in the morning and have light, depart.”

As the Lord is speaking through people to you not to engage in the wrong battle you must listen and act accordingly. If David had not return to Ziklag, his family and that of the men who went with him, would have been taken into captivity.
These warriors wept heavily because their own have been taken captive (verse 3&4). Beloved our welfare is not carnal but spiritual. Prayer is our weapon in spiritual battles. When need be, cry or weep unto the Lord is prayer. The Lord will pay heed to your cry.

The intentions of men is crippled with ill vices when pain is afflicted unto them. If the love of God does not dwell inside of you, you can't resist the temptation to do evil or harm towards those who cause your harm. Though they were all weeping for their lost, they thought of stoning David. If you're a leader, you need grace to lead, if not your life will be cut short. In the difficulty, David strengthen himself in the Lord. You can't win the battle if you do not strengthen yourself in the Lord. In that strength, inquire of the Lord what you should do next. Victory is not in chariots rather, it is in the Lord. The reply to David from the Lord was, “Pursue, for you shall surely overtake them and without fail recover all.”
Praise the Lord! Yes,  you shall surely overtake your adversaries in the battle and recover all that has been taken. The word of the Lord is Yes and Amen! Lift up a hymn or any spiritual song and sing for you victory in the Lord.

Prayer: My Lord and Defender in battle, I come before Your presence that you might speak over every battle I'm going through. Even my unseen battles. Victory comes from You so God give me victory in Jesus name. AMEN!